Vertebrate Pests Around the Garden and Home Karey

Vertebrate Pests Around the Garden and Home Karey Windbiel-Rojas Associate Director Urban & Community IPM, Area IPM Advisor (Sacramento, Solano, Yolo) UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program

What Are Vertebrate Pests? Nonhuman species of vertebrate animals that are currently troublesome locally, or over a wide area, to one or more persons, either by being a health hazard, a general nuisance, or by destroying food, fiber, or natural resources.

Current Control Strategies Currently, we focus on an integrated approach that utilizes a number of strategies and tools to control vertebrate pests. Photo courtesy of Steven Albano

Importance of Biology/Ecology Understanding the biology and ecology of vertebrate pests will guide management decisions. Example: ground squirrels

Management Strategy Identify the vertebrate pest species. Assess options for managing this species.

Species Identification – Ground Squirrels Gray-brown fur with semi-bushy tail Are social Damage girdling of trees consumption of forbs and grasses chewing of irrigation lines abundant burrow openings

Species Identification – Ground Squirrels are active throughout the day and are frequently visible. They prefer to burrow next to buildings, on field edges, and alongside fencerows and roadsides.

Species Identification – Tree Squirrels

Species Identification – Tree Squirrels Eastern fox squirrel causes the most damage. Are diurnal. Will consume fruits and nuts, dig holes in lawns, chew on cables, and nest in buildings.

Species Identification – Pocket Gophers Burrowing rodent about 6 -8 in long; rarely seen above ground. Gopher mounds are plugged and often fan-shaped.

Species Identification – Pocket Gophers They feed on taproots weakening and/or killing plants. Then can girdle trees, particularly below ground. Mounds can also kill plants and can create weed seed-beds.

Species Identification – Moles Are burrowing mammals with a pointed snout and broad feet that eat worms and insects. As such, moles cause less damage to gardens than gophers, though linear ridges and mole mounds do cause damage.

Species Identification – Moles Mounds are volcano shaped with the plug in the center of the mound. Can also be identified from raised earth indicating underground tunnels

Species Identification – Meadow Voles Have dark grayish brown fur and are 4 to 6 inches in length. Populations tend to cycle, exhibiting irruptive growth patterns.

Species Identification – Meadow Voles Dig shallow burrows and leave well-worn trails. Fecal pellets are often present, Primary damage caused by girdling of stems, consumption of vegetation, and gnawing of cables, pipes, etc.

Species Identification – Other Rodents Norway rats, roof rats, house mouse, deer mouse. Primarily commensal rodents. Can be difficult to control in some outdoor settings.

Species Identification – Hares & Rabbits Jackrabbits are hares, but they are the most common rabbit-like pest in agricultural settings. Are larger and have longer ears than cottontails. Damage caused through foraging on stems and leaves of plants

Species Identification – Hares & Rabbits Cottontails are true rabbits. They are smaller and have shorter ears. Typically a bigger pest than jackrabbits in urban settings.

Species Identification – Raccoon and Opossum Will eat fruits and vegetables. Can get into garbage and pet foods. Potentially transmit diseases.

Species Identification – Skunks Will dig holes looking for grubs and insects Will spray Will eat pet foods Can transmit diseases

Species Identification – Deer Can cause significant damage to gardens and landscaping, especially when in close proximity to forested and riparian areas. Most damage will occur during dawn, dusk, and at night, so identification of footprints and scat may be needed to determine deer were the cause of damage.

Species Identification – Birds • Birds can be pests in vegetable gardens. • These include ducks, geese, crows, magpies, starlings, house finches and scrub jays.

IPM for Vertebrate Pests Biological control– natural predators Cultural control– Modify habitat Physical control– exclusion, trapping, frightening Chemical control– repellents, rodenticides

What Control Options are Available? Habitat modification Baiting Burrow fumigatio n Trapping Exclusion Pocket gopher X X X Ground squirrel X X Meadow vole X X Hares & rabbits X X Tree squirrels X X Frightenin g X Shooting X X Deer Birds Repellent X X X X

Control Options—Trapping Body-gripping traps, box-type squeeze traps, snap traps, and pincer traps are common kill traps. Wire cage traps are common live traps. Live traps require euthanization of vertebrate pests.

Case Study Instructions Sit with your pre-assigned vegetable group Choose one of the vertebrate pest case studies from your folder and work on it with your group Identify the cause of the problem and determine solutions Go over the discussion questions with your group after completing your diagnosis and solutions for one case study If you have time, you may work through another case study. Ask your presenter if you have any questions or need help Rely on UC ANR resources: UC IPM WEBSITE IPM. UCANR. EDU WILDLIFE PEST CONTROL AROUND HOMES AND GARDENS VEGETABLE PEST IDENTIFICATION CARD SETS